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New Orleans Police Shooting OK

New Orleans police, who gunned down a man wielding a 3-inch knife, appear to be justified in the killing. Police Superintendent Warren Riley says that police training would have shown to have not guided the officers if they were not poised to initiate a fatal shot. The subject has been identifed as Anthony Hayes, 38, who was fatally shot last Monday after charging at police with a 3-inch blade.

Police say the three officers who fired nine rounds on Mr. Hayes when he lunged at them would have betrayed their training if they had aimed for his legs. In training they are told not to do so because suspects shot in an arm or leg have been known to retaliate, sometimes hurting or killing the officer. "They used mace. The mace had no effect on him. It`s very unfortunate this happened but the actions seemed to be necessary," Riley said.

Part of the deadly confrontation was caught on tape and broadcasted around the world. The video shows nearly a dozen officers surrounding Hayes as he waves his arms, clearly - not allegedly as some people claim - holding the blade. Superintendant Riley says, "The officers in fact gave many verbal commands ordering him to place the knife down."